Subnautica 2 Developers Took ChatGPT’s Tips on Legal Loopholes

Court documents reveal that the CEO of Krafton turned to ChatGPT to devise a strategy aimed at denying the developers of the upcoming underwater survival game Subnautica 2 a $250 million bonus and seizing control of the studio and the game. A Delaware judge has deemed this plan illegal and a breach of contract.

The protracted legal dispute that began in 2025 between Krafton and Subnautica developer Unknown Worlds has finally concluded, with the judge ruling that the South Korean publisher violated its contract by dismissing the studio’s co-founders without justification and taking over Subnautica 2 and the company. Court filings disclosed that Krafton CEO Changhan Kim utilized the AI chatbot ChatGPT to craft plans that would exclude Unknown Worlds from a lucrative deal and assert control over the future of Subnautica 2 on Steam.

“As Unknown Worlds geared up for the release of its highly anticipated sequel, Subnautica 2, the relationship between the parties deteriorated,” stated Vice Chancellor Lori W. Will in her opinion, filed on March 16.

“Internal forecasts indicated that the new title would generate substantial revenue, easily triggering the earnout. Concerned he had entered into a ‘pushover’ contract, Krafton’s CEO consulted an AI chatbot to devise a corporate ‘takeover strategy.’”

In June 2025, when Maria Park, Krafton’s head of corporate development, informed Kim that terminating the co-founders without cause wouldn’t nullify the earnout and could lead to legal action, Kim “sought assistance from ChatGPT,” according to the judge.

“When the AI chatbot indicated that canceling the earnout would be ‘difficult,’ Kim expressed his concerns to Park,” the judge explained. “At ChatGPT’s suggestion, Kim established an internal task force, named ‘Project X.’ The task force was tasked with either negotiating a ‘deal’ regarding the earnout or executing a ‘Take Over’ of Unknown Worlds. They aimed to buy time.”

As tensions escalated between Krafton and Unknown Worlds, Kim continued to seek ChatGPT’s advice.

“Simultaneously, Kim consulted ChatGPT on how to proceed if Krafton failed to secure a deal with Unknown Worlds regarding the earnout. The AI chatbot developed a ‘Response Strategy to a ‘No-Deal’ Scenario,’ which Kim shared with another executive. This strategy included a ‘pressure and leverage package’ and an ‘implementation roadmap by scenario.’ Over the following month, Krafton implemented most of ChatGPT’s suggestions.”

This included misleading messages to fans about the co-founders’ intentions, taking control of Subnautica 2 on Steam, and more.

Ultimately, this miscalculation has backfired on Krafton and Kim. The judge has now extended the timeframe for the team to receive the $250 million earnout under the terms agreed upon when Krafton acquired the company. The co-founders are now eligible to claim the bonus based on the studio’s performance through September 15, 2026. Additionally, the original CEO of the studio, Ted Gill, is being reinstated, and Krafton is prohibited from interfering with his plans for Subnautica 2’s early access launch.